President's Letter to Staff

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…”

As I begin my eighth year as president of Central State University, I wonder where has the time gone! When you have the best job of your life, it seems as if time speeds like fast shooting stars in the galaxy. Over the course of the last seven years, Central State has experienced transformation of its identity, space and trajectory. That transformation was the result of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, alums, Ohio legislature and the CSU community coming together to work toward excellence and sustainability for decades to come.

I am humbled to be a part of this University and be a witness to our academic successes of achieving five new program accreditations; extended Higher Learning Commission reaffirmation; recruitment of stronger academically prepared students; and a dynamic Strategic Plan that consistently guides our day to day operations.

Other noted recognitions include the establishment of trademarked tenets (Service, Protocol and Civility®) that distinctively identify our essence; design and implementation of smart classrooms without walls; infusion of new innovative technologies; recognition as a research laboratory for emerging commodities; increase in comprehensive safety campus protocols; construction of a new residence hall with a Wellness Complex; new state of the art Library, new University Student Center; coveted Land Grant status, complete renovation of Emery Hall; over three million dollars in annual scholarship allocations; new community partnerships; major increase in donorships; and a new site location-CSU Xenia. This year, we will embark on a major initiative of on-line course delivery that will identify Central State University as national academic providers of distance learning.

In the last five years, Central State University has acquired ownership of 11 properties on Brush Row Road and Hwy. 42 that surround the main campus. The acquisition of these properties ensures that CSU will always have control of these residential and commercial spaces and that the use of the spaces will be in the best interest of the University.

Additionally, through a partnership agreement with Sodexo Catering, CSU will have a modern grocery store that will provide convenient shopping for faculty, staff, students and the community. Within the year, we will also begin the upgrade and redesign of the track and football field; and the Botanical Garden will add aesthetic beauty to the campus entrance and serve as a demonstration site for students.

Thanks to the generosity of one of our major donors, Central State will also be able to redesign the old power plant into an academic success and career center.

This has been an amazing journey! These achievements are the results of each of you, administration, faculty and staff, alums, students, state legislators and external partners being committed to the growth and success of Central State University! Thank you for your commitment, energy, forward thinking and always looking to be better each day! It is with this wonderment of Central State University that it is time for me to say “adieux”. I have notified the Board of Trustees that 2019-2020 will serve as my culminating year as president. It has been a true blessing to work with a Board that honors my wishes to complete my tenure this year. Dr. James Hammond and I will enjoy some quality time with our wonderful grandchildren and continue to be supportive of the GREAT CSU!

It is my sincere hope that Central State University will always envision a future that represents innovation, inclusiveness, respect and appreciation for different points of views and experiences; and an embracement of all people regardless of race, culture, or ethnicity. I hope that we always view diversity in our students, faculty and staff as strengths and assets; that we seek to be enlightened as citizens with world views. Central State University may reside in a small, picturesque community but our vision and intent must be inclusive and global. We must affirm to ourselves and others that we are an academy of “big ideas” and that our graduates will make” big changes” in the world!

During this 2019-20 academic year, I will continue to seek opportunities for the University and support the development of on-line technologies and innovations; and ensure that the promise of our great University is forefront in the minds of our state legislature and new partners. Advocacy for Central State University is in my DNA!

On behalf of Dr. James Hammond and my family, I extend sincere appreciation for allowing us to be a part of Central State University’s rich legacy and exciting future!